A competition to pursue the "lightness" of rainwear, which has continued quietly to the point. The battle for breaking records has actually stopped quite a bit in recent years.
Until around 2020, many brands competed for "just light" rainwear, but in some areas, it reached its limit, and now there are fewer models that show extreme lightness, and it seems that the mainstream is moving towards models that are claiming to be lighter but are more emphasizing comfort and ease of use.
Rab's Phantom Pull-On & Phantom Pants we will be reviewing this time , is a long-selling brand that has been released in the 2020 season and is already entering its fourth season (with fine tuning), but is one of the world's lightest waterproof and breathable shells from the time to this day, and is a piece that is at the top of the current lightweight rainwear world (I don't know if there is such a community). In other words, this rainwear can be said to be one of the achievements in the history of rainwear, which has put an end to the race to reduce weight.
Although it is a sharp item that is full of elements that are required for short routes and high-speed activities, such as day hiking in stable weather, trail running and fast hiking, it is still not faded at all.
Rab , a brand that pursues quality that doesn't know the term compromise , so I will review its appeal, weaknesses, and how it can be used based on it.
table of contents
Main features of Rab Phantom Pull-On & Phantom Pants
Rab Phantom Pull-On & Phantom Pants (hereinafter referred to as Phantom Pull-On) is ultra-lightweight rainwear with world-class lightweight compactness, sufficient waterproof and breathable, light texture and ease of movement. The waterproof and breathable material is made of an extremely thin 2.5-layer Pertex Shield called 7D, making the jacket surprisingly light at 90 grams. Nevertheless, the water resistance and breathability are comparable to those of authentic rainwear, and the moderate stretch, elastic cuffs and a hood provide a stress-free feel even in intense activity. Both the jacket and pants can be stored compactly so that they can fit in your palm.
Favorite points
- The world's most lightweight and compact
- Amazing three-dimensional cutting and stretch fabric for ease of movement
- The subtle unevenness of the lining makes it sticky (excellent for 2.5 layers)
- Necessary and sufficient waterproofing
- Long front zip ensures ventilation
Interesting points
- No pockets at all
- The hood is not adjustable (although the elastic rubber fits to some extent)
- Be careful of scuffs and snags due to the extremely thin, lightweight fabric.
Main Specifications and ratings
| Item name | Rab Phantom Pull-On | Rab Phantom Pants |
|---|---|---|
| Official/Actual Weight (g) | 90 | 80 |
| Fabrics and materials | Pertex® Shield 7D Denier Nylon RipStop | Pertex® Shield 7D Denier Nylon RipStop |
| Number of layers | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Water pressure resistance (mm) | 20,000 | 20,000 |
| Breathability (g/m² 24hrs) | 20,000 | 20,000 |
| Number of pockets | 0 | 0 (There is a mesh pocket for storage on the back lining) |
| Reflector | 〇 | 〇 |
| Packable | × | 〇 |
| evaluation | ||
| Waterproof | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| It's not stuffy | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Mobility | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Functionality | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Detailed review
Materials, weight and portability
The most notable thing when talking about this item is its weight. There is no doubt about this.
After all, despite being a "completely waterproof jacket" that is not a windshell, the lightness of 90 grams is simply amazing. Even now, four years after its release, there are no lighter waterproof jackets, which are lighter than this, so it can be seen as being the ultimate lighter.
As expected, when you put your sleeves on it, it feels stress-free, as if you weren't wearing anything. Despite this, it protects you from the rain and wind, so you can't help but live your life.
There are two main reasons why it was so easy to do it.
One is the existence of the waterproof and breathable fabric "Pertex Shield" that is used in this clothing. This fabric is characterized by its non-porous PU membrane that makes it easier to make it thinner than other waterproof and breathable materials, and Phantom Pull-On makes full use of this feature to achieve the outer fabric with an incredible 7D (denier). It's easy to just say 7D, but of course, it's not like anyone can quickly turn into thin fabrics. This is a technique that can only be achieved through Rab, which combines high-grade production technology, from selecting yarn (nylon) that combines strength and lightness, to weaving methods that maintain strength such as micro ripstops, and PU laminated lining that combines lightness and performance.
It is compact, smaller than the palm. The jacket comes with a special mini sack, while the pants come with a mesh pocket for storage.
The other is the purest aspect of this clothing, but it is minimalism that is carried down to the smallest detail. It has been excluded from the bare minimum required to act while preventing the rain and wind, such as a pullover-type front zipper, pockets, adjustable drawcords, and ultra-thin seam tape. This thorough scraping has not only achieved an incredible lightness, but also has fewer parts that tend to be bulky, making it possible to store them incredibly small even when packing.
Waterproof and breathable
Personally, although this type of ultra-lightweight rainwear is a jacket called "waterproof," I believe that, given its lightness, it cannot be expected to be as waterproof as previous full-scale mountain climbing rainwear (even if the specifications of the fabric are well-known). In that sense, I was a little slanted by the Pertex Shield nominal value, "water resistance: 20,000mm, breathability: 20,000 (g/m² 24hrs)" used in this model.
However, after testing on a trail on a relatively heavy rainy day for several hours or several times, it was able to prevent the rain from blowing away any prejudices. Not only did it not allow the rain to pass through, but the DWR water-repellent coating worked for a long time, and the water droplets that fell on the surface spilled over the course of the action. We haven't tested it to the point where it gets wet all day long, so we can't tell if this is on par with thicker rainwear, but if we assume that it will rain for a few hours that will fall during a day hike, it will perform well.
Although it is thin, it is highly water resistant, and the DWR water-repellent finish lasts longer than you imagined. The lining is also prevented from sticky due to fine unevenness.
On the other hand, it is not easy to get stuffy. To put it simply, I have never personally felt that rainwear made from this fabric (Pertex Shield) was "super breathable!", and it was common for all models I've worn in the past to be slightly damp and humid when worn during the humid rainy season. In that sense, as originally anticipated, this time it doesn't seem to be particularly prone to stuffiness than what the number 20,000 (g/m² 24hrs) indicates.
However, although I've had this impression for a while, I feel that the ultra-thin 7 denier and the front zipper make it easy to ventilate, which makes it easy to release moisture inside the clothing. Also, the lining is 2.5 layers with laminated processing, so I was concerned about how stickiness is likely to occur on the skin, but since it is treated to create subtle unevenness, it is not as noticeable as I was concerned about, and the fact that it was reasonably comfortable even with some stuffiness may have led to a positive impression.
Phantom Pull-On 's pursuit of lighter than ease of use, the company chose a pullover style rather than a full zipper, meaning it is expected to be less likely to get stuffy and have a good looseness, with no need to take off or take off frequently. In this regard, in this test, at least (except for the heat caused by the temperature), I was so uncomfortable that I couldn't help but take off my clothes due to stuffiness during my activities.
Half-length front zipper is designed to make it easy to put on and ventilate the jacket. The longer design is sufficient to swap air inside the clothing.
Comfortable and easy to move
Rab for many years , but I'm always impressed by the stunning pattern that combines comfort, ease of movement and silhouette. the Phantom Pull-On is the "deciding factor" of today's ultra-lightweight rainwear is that while it is so light, there is no compromise on the comfort of the clothing.
Despite the slim fit that prevents flapping from wind, it has skillful three-dimensional cutting that does not interfere with movement while running and does not feel cramped at all, and moderate stretching of fabric. The elegant, refined, beautiful silhouettes that don't give off a sense of ruggedness at all are combined at a high level, providing a high-quality comfort that no brand can imitate.
The slimness that fits the body and the ease of movement that naturally leans against the movement of the whole body are surprisingly low in stress during action.
It has a stunning three-dimensional cutting and stretchability that doesn't make you feel cramped even when you bend or stretch your legs, knees, or elbows.
Slim yet clever cutting ensures ease of movement. The back is designed to be longer to prevent it from slipping up.
The waist of the pants has an adjustable drawstring, allowing for a large adjustment range.
However, you must be aware that a slim fit also has the side to it that it is difficult to layer. It's fine if you wear just one shirt, but if you're planning on layering heat-retaining clothing as a middle-aged part in autumn and winter, you can choose a larger size.
Both the top and bottom are slim fit, making it easy to move in, and there is no feeling of stiffness when wearing the shell.
Functionality
As I've written so far, many of the parts that are attached to regular rain jackets have been stripped off on the Phantom Pull-On The reason for this is probably the clarity and consistency of the concept of this clothing "focusing on the functions required for lightweight, light activities, and eliminating everything that is unnecessary for that purpose."
In that sense, this item is extremely well-equipped with features necessary for trail running and speed hiking.
For example, reflectors that ensure safety at night may be on the top and bottom, including the logo mark.
A brim is placed on the top of the sleeves to prevent flooding, and the hem and cuffs are partially elastic material, making it difficult to get flooded and a perfect fit.
It fits just right and keeps out the wind and cold air
The hem of the pants has an inconspicuous gusset, so low-cut shoes can be removed without taking off the shoes.
It is lightweight yet has a Velcro and button-type hem to make it less noticeable
The back of the neck also comes with a hook for storing the hood, which is great for those who want to prevent the hood from flapping while running in good weather.
I'm curious about this
Since rainwear has been thoroughly focused on lightness and has been stripped to the limit, except for areas that hinder action, there were absolutely several trade-offs to make it super lightweight. I'll touch on that here. Furthermore, since these can be fully covered by other equipment, it is more likely that overall happiness is better to think of them as a whole by ingenuity and supplementation with the entire equipment rather than as a weakness of this model.
Can't adjust the hood
For example, "an elastic (wired brim) hood with no adjustment function." For me, my small head, I felt that it was a little too loose, and I didn't leave a very good impression. If it's just the right shape to overlap with the extension and contraction of both sides, it would fit well for now, but when you actually walk, it seems like the brim would be a little higher and the field of vision will be wider, and you'll be concerned about the misalignment when you shake your head.
For this reason, we recommend wearing a cap to ensure a stable fit on the hood. That way it worked without any problems.
There are no pockets at all
Another thing is, as mentioned in the first half, there are no pockets at all. This would certainly be convenient if you had one small zippered pocket, but even if you sacrificed it to reduce the weight of the product, it is unavoidable. If that's the case, instead, choose a backpack or other clothing with lots of pockets, so it won't be a big problem.
It cannot be expected to be more than standard durability
The 7-denier nylon fabric is as delicate as you would imagine, and looks much more vulnerable to wear and snags than a typical jacket. Furthermore, PU membranes are not resistant to deterioration over time. In that sense, actively taking it to a place where you climb a rocky ridge or row the bushes is a suicide, and I don't want to repeatedly put it out or shut it down. After all, it is believed that the ability will be demonstrated when moving on well-maintained trails with a focus on speed.
Summary: Recommended for people like this
It's the lightest and compact, with the highest level of comfort and little else except for what you need. After using it for a while, the Rab Phantom Pull-On & Phantom Pants are firmly assembled by a clear, solid concept of "making the best product for hikers and runners who want to prioritize lightness." This item is a quick trail run activity with minimal equipment, or if you're a hiker who wants to cut it down even a gram, there's no reason not to carry it around in your backpack. And fortunately, despite being such a high-end product, the prices are surprisingly gentle...!
However, it is important to note that the strictness of this product may not meet expectations if it is used in a way that is out of reach of this level. Extremely thin fabrics are too delicate to take to heavy duty mountain climbs where you carry dozens of kilos of luggage, or for river climbs that take you along roads without roads, and the lack of pockets may make it inconvenient to wear rain gear all day long. When serious rain is expected, we recommend that you prepare more sturdy rain gear than this.
This jacket is truly in a situation where you don't get hit by long rain, rain, and you want to pack your rain gear with as little as possible in case of an emergency. However, in reality, in my case, most of my usual weekend hikes are the case, so I'm sure I'll be using it for a long time.
